Word Origin & History

stray c.1300, aphetic of O.Fr. estraier "wander about," lit. "go about the streets," from estree "route, highway," from L.L. via strata "paved road" (see street). On another theory, the O.Fr. is from V.L. *estragare, a contraction of *estravagare, representing L. extra vagari "to wander outside" (see extravagant). Fig. sense of "to wander from the path of rectitude" is attested from early 14c. The noun meaning "domestic animal found wandering" is earlier (early 13c.), from O.Fr. estraié "strayed," pp. of estraier. The adj. is first recorded c.1600.

Example Sentences for straying

The tender, loving heart of the Savior goes out in eager compassion and pity for the straying.

The eyes half closed for a moment, straying away from the soldiers.

Far verily was I straying from Thee, barred from the very husks of the swine, whom with husks I fed.

At night we had enough to do to keep our valuable cattle from straying.

This was like an exquisite dream; but presently, straying in a path nigh at hand, he beheld an unvailed maiden and her attendant.

And what may be the name of her towards whom your imagination was straying?

So the same thought may have been straying through her mind when she was staring at me just before.

Its straying about and cant find its way back to its place in the sky.

Meanwhile it turned about to and fro, staggering and straying like one stunned, blinded, and taking his leave of the world.

Straying to the piano, he sat down and began to play a Chopin prelude.